THE PARADISE FOR WORKERS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13465, 10 July 1912, Page 3

THE PARADISE FOR WORKERS.

Some time ago I.heard a distinguished man^discussing the origin and pur-p-ose of garden cities. "The garden city method," he said, "is the most effective and the most economic and profitable way of securing the comfort, convenience, healthfulness, and beauty of the homes of a working population." That was a strong statement to make, but the man who made it was not a mere enthusiast; he was Mr. Ebernezer Howard, who is known all over the world as "tho founder of the garden city movement."

There aro some people who disapprove of garden cities," but there are many thousands who, knowing the advantages of a home amid such surroundings, will heartily agree with Mr Howard. As ono who has lived in a garden city for several years, says a "Working Man" in the London "Daily Chronicle," I can endorse "the founder's" statement. Some years ago I lived, whore' I still work, in a picturesque and interesting old town, where rents aro high and many men and women aro compelled to live under conditions that are tho reverse of pleasant and healthy. The streets of the poorer quarter this town are narrow and squalid and not always clean. The houses aro small, low-ceiled, and damp, and the sanitary arrangements axe not what they,should be in every instance. There is overcrowding and other uiir clcsirabiO things.

But o?ip clay there began to arise beyond tho low hills that lie around this old town tho red-tiled roofs of a garden city. It was to mo a city of romance, and day by day, as it grew and spread, tho dceirc increased in mo to go and live in it. Its neatly-planned cottages, its broad, tree-lined avenues, its public open spaces, and its recreation grounds exorcised a magical spell upon me. At last the day came when I was able to realise my ambition and become a householder in the garden city. But I still continued my work in tho neighbouring town, and th© question was how to make the journey twice a day between my house and my work. The train was rapid, but would have involved iin annual outlay of several pounds. The only alternative was the bicycle, and by means of my bicycle I was (-able to turn my back en the old town as a place of residence and live in healthier surroundings.

""We've been nodding to each other for such a considerable time that I resolved to speak to you this morning. Er—can you lend me half-a-crown ?" "I thtuk we'd hett-er stick to the nodding system." Bella: Ho said he would kiss me or die in the attempt. Delia: Well? Bella: He had no life insurance, and I pitied his poor old mother.